Agenda and minutes

·       [Note: The Chair having been informed that the taxi driver in respect of Agenda Item 7 would not be in attendance changed the order business on the agenda to consider Agenda Item 8, prior to Item 7.  However, for ease of referencing, these minutes reflect the order of business itemised on the agenda for the meeting.]

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A. Fox and J. Jones. 

Apologies were also received from Mr David Bizby, Dyfed Powys Police Representative.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee “A” held on the 16^th November, 2021 be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee “B” held on the 21^st September, 2021 be signed as a correct record.

The Chair highlighted that there was an incorrect citation within the body of Minute Item 14 which stated that:-

“The Senior Licensing Officer recommended that Mr Alyufrus be issued with a final warning as to his future conduct”

The sentence should read:-

“The Senior Licensing Officer recommended that Mr Alyufrus’ application be refused.”

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that with the amendment being made, the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on the 23^rd September, 2021 be signed as a correct record.

The Committee considered a report which provided information on an application received to increase the current hackney carriage maximum table of fares.  The application proposed to restructure the current hackney carriage maximum table of fares as follows:-

1.    to increase the initial charge on the meter by £0.60p on Tariff 1, Tariff 2, and Tariff 3.

2.    to increase the Extra Charges for Vehicles carrying 5-8 passengers. For each passenger exceeding FOUR a charge of £1 for each passenger (For Passengers 5-8).  This is an increase of £0.75 per person.

3.    to increase the Contamination fee for fouling of the Vehicle to £60. This is an increase of £10.00.

4.    to increase the Booking Fee (Where journey commences more than 4 miles from operator’s base) to £5.00. This is an increase of £2.00 and also moves the journey distance from more than 5 miles to More than 4 miles.

5.    Double Tariff 1 on the meter shall apply on all hiring’s commencing on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.  This will remain and will be based on the tariff agreed for Tariff 1.

It was reported that the last tariff change took place in May 2011 and due to the increasing overheads incurred by the taxi trade, an application had been received to increase the current maximum table of fares in accordance with Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, Section 65 Hackney Carriage Maximum Table of Fares

The Senior Licensing Officer orated statistics and indicators relevant to the taxi trade since 2011 which included the increase in fuel costs, minimum wage, insurance premiums and more recently the increase in the cost of vehicles, parts, goods and services since Brexit and the Pandemic. In consideration of the information provided, it was reported that the overall situation showed a clear and obvious financial decline for the Carmarthenshire taxi trade which had been running at a loss since the last increase in 2011.

Members considered the current hackney carriage maximum table of fares and the proposed restructure as stated in the report.

Members were informed that 550 members of the taxi trade within Carmarthenshire had been consulted on the proposed hackney carriage maximum table of fares, a total of 80 responses were received of which 79 stated that they were happy with the proposed tariff increase.  In addition, Members received an oral update of the respondents’ comments.

Reference was made to the responses received regarding the rate for Christmas Eve/Day and New Year Eve/Day.  In response to a query regarding amending the tariff, the Legal Services Manager and Senior Licensing Officer advised the Committee that any amendments at this stage would not have been included in the initial consultation with members of the taxi trade therefore, it was suggested that the public consultation would be an opportunity for members of the public and of the taxi trade would be welcome to provide any suggested amendments to the hackney carriage maximum table of fares via the public consultation.  Accordingly, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

THE REPORTS RELATING TO THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NOT FOR PUBLICATION AS THEY CONTAIN EXEMPT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH 12 OF PART 4 OF SCHEDULE 12A TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 AS AMENDED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) (VARIATION) (WALES) ORDER 2007 AS THEY CONTAIN INFORMATION RELATING TO A PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL.

IF, FOLLOWING THE APPLICATION OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST TEST, THE COMMITTEE RESOLVES PURSUANT TO THE ACT TO CONSIDER THESE ITEMS IN PRIVATE, THE PUBLIC WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM THE MEETING DURING SUCH CONSIDERATION.

RESOLVED, pursuant to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007, that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items as the reports contained exempt information as defined in paragraph 12 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

The Committee having been informed that Mr Johns was not able to attend the meeting due to work commitments: -

RESOLVED to proceed to consider the agenda item in Mr John’s absence.

The Committee was informed that Mr Daniel John Victor Johns of 10 Manor Road, Ammanford, is a licensed hackney carriage/private hire dual driver with this Authority and that an issue had arisen with regard to his licence.  

The Senior Licensing Committee informed the Committee members of the issues that had arisen.

The Senior Licensing Officer recommended that Mr John be granted with a warning as to his future conduct.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that, in line with the Council’s guidelines, Mr Daniel John Victor Johns be issued with a warning as to his future conduct.

[Note: Councillor H.I. Jones declared an interest and left the meeting throughout the consideration and voting of this item]

The Committee considered an application from Mr Emyr Wyn Davies of 12 Job's Well Road, Carmarthen for the grant of a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Dual Driver’s Licence.

The Committee interviewed Mr Davies with regard to his application.

The Senior Licensing Officer recommended that Mr Emyr Wyn Davies’ application be granted with a warning as to his future conduct.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the application submitted by Mr Emyr Wyn Davies for the grant of a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Dual Driver’s Licence be granted with a warning as to his future conduct.

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